Vipassana Newsletter

This web site provides information on the Vipassana Meditation Technique, as taught
by S.N.Goenka and his assistant teachers in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
Vipassana is a universal, scientific method towards purifying the mind. It is the
practical essence of the teachings of the Buddha, who taught Dhamma - the Universal
Law of Nature.

Cut off your craving as one plucks an autumn lily with the
hand. Nibbana has been expounded on by the Buddha; cultivate that Path which leads to it.

—Dhammapada 285, Maggavaggo

Measures to Maintain Peaceful Purity of Vipassana Centres

(By Acarya S.N. Goenka (From a forthcoming VRI publication The
Sammasambuddha in Tipiṭaka, Vol 2; translated from the original in Hindi)

Vihāras of the Buddha were not for socializing or an idle
life. People came to them for the serious practice of Vipassana
meditation. But many sectarian āoerams of those days had idlers
wasting time in gossip.

Monasteries of the Buddha were not called ‘ashrams’, but were
called ‘vihāras’ or meditation centres. These vihāras maintained strict
discipline, out of the compassionate understanding that all those
living there would benefit from working hard to purify their minds.

Most meditators were self-disciplined. However the Buddha
made a rule to maintain the pure atmosphere of vihāras: anyone who
had previously belonged to a sect, or had lived in a sectarian ashram,
and was now seeking to be ordained as a monk in the Sangha, must
first be given a trial period of four months, and could not be
immediately ordained. This was to see if they could maintain a
disciplined life. On the other hand, lay people or householders were
ordained soon after making a formal request.

The Buddha established this rule based on the experience of
seeing the undisciplined, idle life of many sectarians or those
living in sectarian ashrams. They spent the day chattering and the
night snoring. If ordained immediately as monks, these
undisciplined people would pollute the atmosphere of the vihāras.
So, instead of refusing them admission, they were given this trial
period of four months before being ordained as monks. This was
for their benefit. They were given time to fit into the Dhamma life
of a vihāra, where the main work was serious Vipassana
meditation – with noble silence.

The most important rule in a vihāra regarding talking was:

“Dhammī vā kathā ariyo vā tuṇhībhāvo.”

– (MI.273 Pāsarāsi Sutta)

– Either discuss Dhamma or observe noble silence.

How to discuss Dhamma matters?
When a meditator sought guidance from a senior regarding
the theory and practice of Dhamma, he would receive proper
answers. Either the questioner would ask questions, or the guide
would answer; and only one would speak at a time. As a result,
the peaceful atmosphere of the meditation centre was not
disturbed. Had they begun to debate or argue, then uproar would
have ensued. But when one asked a question, others present were
able to listen to the answer, and their doubts would also be
removed. They accordingly received Dhamma inspiration,
observed noble silence and were absorbed in meditation.

– Sāriputta, a bhikkhu delights in solitary meditation, is
delighted with solitude devoted to developing purity, serenity of
mind. By not neglecting Vipassana meditation, he gains insight into
the truth within. He thus spends much time in meditation cells.

Due to immeasurablise merits gained by such dedicated monks,
the number of meditation centres (vihāras) increased. More people
were able to learn and practice Vipassana and come out of suffering.
That is why so much importance was given to observing noble
silence. Observing noble silence, was conducive to deep meditation
and, contributed to the Dhamma splendor of the Sangha.

Serious meditators observed noble silence as much as possible,
even while living in the forest. Silence was all the more necessary in
the vihāras, as a large number of meditators were living together. If it
was necessary to break silence, one had to speak as softly and gently
as possible, so as not to disturb other meditators with loud talking.

Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna
The Buddha always emphasized the need to preserve the quiet
and peaceful atmosphere in the vihāras. So long as meditators spoke
gently and softly on Dhamma matters, the congenial atmosphere for
practicing Vipassana would be maintained. But disturbance resulted
if many talked loudly at the same time. When this happened, there
was no difference between sectarian āoerams and vihāras of
meditation. The congenial atmosphere for meditation was polluted,
and the Buddha would admonish those causing such disturbances.

This rule of noble silence, or right speech when needed, applied
also in the calm and quiet atmosphere of forest vihāras where
meditators also worked. It was necessary there too, to maintain the
pure atmosphere.

On one occasion, the Enlightened One was in the ¾malika
forest of Cātumā in the Sākya country. Two groups of 500 newly
ordained monks arrived as students of Venerables Sāriputta and
Moggallāna. They caused an uproar, talking loudly. Dhamma rules
apply equally to all, and equally bring benefits to all. Therefore, even
though these 1,000 noisy monks were under the guidance of two of
the most senior elders in the Sangha, the Enlightened One prescribed
strong medicine.

– Monks, you may leave. This is not the time for you to live
here in meditation with the Buddha.

Fully understanding the benefits of the All Compassionate
One’s disciplinary measures, the two elders paid homage to the Buddha and left with the 1,000 monks for a faraway place.

People were quite stunned, for Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna
were like the right and left hands of the Buddha. And here they were
sent away for spoiling the pure atmosphere for meditation. Whether
in a large Vipassana meditation centre like Jetavana, or in a lonely
forest, self-discipline is required, it is essential. This was the
Sammasambuddha’s timeless, compassionate reminder to all
Vipassana meditators.

People wondered, “How will Dhamma continue to work
smoothly without Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna?” After some time
the anxious Sākyas of Cātumā came to the Buddha, to plead for the
two Dhamma elders. Sahampati Brahmā also spoke in favour of
Venerables Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna, and the 1,000 errant
monks.

– Lord, may the Enlightened One once again give benevolent
instructions to them in the Sangha.

– Like an infinitely compassionate surgeon, the
Sammasambuddha knew that painful corrective measures could not
be avoided – for the greater welfare of meditators. In time, the 1,000
monks progressed with their serious meditation, and benefited. Then
the Buddha was most happy to permit them to return to the vihāra.

In this way, the Buddha made it clear that corrective measures
to maintain and protect the purity of a Vipassana centre must be
taken. This was even more so when those responsible for violating
discipline were senior Dhamma workers, or the most senior
Vipassana teachers like Venerables Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna.

Farewell Shardaben!

Respected Guruji: ‘Sharda, my daughter! I would like you to
take the responsibility of running the Vipassana Research Institute
(VRI). Henceforth you are to be its director.’

Shardaben: ‘Guruji, I am committed to serve you. But please
let me remain a simple sevak (server) in your Vipassana mission. Do
not give me such a huge responsibility! I don’t think I can do justice
to it.’ was her plaintive response.

Guruji: 'If you are committed to serve me and Dhamma then
please do as I ask you to. I want you to take up this responsibility. I
know you do not hanker after senior posts, but I can see you are
capable and well suited for this role.’ This is how Guruji, seeing her
unflinching dedication and capabilities addressed Dr. Sharda
Sanghvi after the previous director of VRI, Dr. Ravindra Panth, had
left to work at Nalanda University.

And in the year 2000, Dr. Shardaben accepted her new
responsibilities as instructed by Guruji with zeal initiating many new
projects always bearing in mind the profound role of Vipassana
Research Institute in the spread of Dhamma.

Dr. Shardaben became an important assistant to Guruji.
Whenever some vital research work was undertaken, ‘call Sharda’
was a common refrain. Whenever Guruji needed any reference
material to be researched for the gigantic work he had undertaken to
reestablish the literature containing the teachings of the Buddha
beneficial to a serious Dhamma aspirant he would call on Sharda.
Hardly a day passed without long talks, at times more than once in a
day, between teacher and the dedicated disciple in their search to put
forth peerless data that would carry the Dhamma mission forward.
She was an unflinching pillar of support and worked relentlessly.
Now that pillar is no more.

A phone call from him and she would search everywhere
possible looking for inaccessible books and references, no task was
too small or too large for her. For her it was very straight forward:
'Guruji wants it.' If some required reference notes or material was
unavailable, who else but Sharda would trawl libraries, investigate which publisher in whichever part of India had it and persist till she
finally got what she wanted.

Her remarkable simplicity and profound love towards Pali and
continuous efforts to fulfill Guruji’s Dhamma requirements were
noteworthy. The task many a time was not easy. But for her, not
fulfilling a task entrusted to her by Guruji was inconceivable. There
are dozens of folders brimming with works collected by her in
Guruji’s library which became starting points for him to continue his
priceless work on Dhamma literature.

There was humility and sincerity in her work that carried a
singular goal – to take Dhamma forward.

There were many who were keen to serve Guruji and thereby
Vipassana; and indeed they offered their services. They were sincere
helpers for whom Guruji used to say, ‘I am not alone; Dhamma
comes with thousands of hands!’ Amongst them, Ms. Shardaben
Sanghavi was an exceptional sevika. She shone like a star with her
pure dedication, sincere work and complete surrender to Buddha,
Dhamma, Sangha and her present teacher.

She did her first Vipassana course in December 1981 at
Dhammagiri. Right away she knew that this was the path to Nibbana,
the gateway to total freedom for her. After that there was no looking
back. While continuing to deepen her own sadhana she served many
courses, including children’s courses, and wherever else she was
called upon to give her services.

When Guruji appointed her as an assistant teacher in 1994, she
hesitated before accepting her new role with humility; after all it was
one more way to serve Dhamma as she saw it.

She soon realized that she did not understand inspirational Pali
phrases used by Guruji during meditation courses and their profound
implications; so important to grasp Dhamma in its depths. In her zeal
to understand Dhamma with its subtleties Shardaben joined Pali
classes that were started by VRI. She travelled from Mumbai to
Igatpuri every weekend for this, completing an M.A. and Ph.D in Pali
in the year 1999.

And now with her as a director of VRI, the study of Pali
language and Pali literature received a considerable boost.
Enthusiastic and energetic she initiated many new projects and taught
Pali at VRI in Igatpuri. She also became a visiting faculty at Somaiya
College and Mumbai University for Buddhist Literature and M. Phil
and PhD guide.

She had pursued and succeeded in getting MA and PhD
degrees in Pali started in affiliation with Mumbai University; a rare
feat, since the task that normally takes years was accomplished in a
few months. She also became a member of the board of studies for
Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit and was appointed as course coordinator
and visiting lecturer for the courses: Vipassana Theory and Practice’
run by the University of Mumbai in collaboration with VRI. Pali
language, the repository of Buddha’s teachings received a
tremendous boost with her singular efforts.

Pali teaching was well established at Dhamma Giri with a
growing number of students attending, but Guruji and Shardaben
decided to shift the work to the Global Vipassana Centre in Mumbai.
It was more accessible to a larger number of students and visiting
faculties and also for Guruji. So a new research centre was
established, residential facilities for students were opened and classes
started. The facility was named Pariyatti Bhavan. Looking at her
enthusiastic and sincere work, Guruji appointed her as a lifetime
trustee of the Global Vipassana Foundation, Gorai, Mumbai.

Due to her persistent efforts, not only were Pali classes started,
but an impressive library was established which contained literature
from all religions for comparative studies. After Guruji’s demise,
thousands of books from his personal library were relocated to this
library.

Her one goal was to deepen her practice, and in the course of
her Dhamma journey, serve Dhamma under the guidance of Guruji as
much as she could. The loving warmth with which she taught her
students is a testimony to her selfless work.

She did this till her last breath, literally. She was at Dhamma
Giri in Igatpuri for a 45-day Vipassana retreat. It was the 25th day of
the course and the afternoon adhitthana sitting had just ended at 3.30
pm, when she came out of her meditation cell feeling breathless and lay down under a tree. Even as the servers and teachers came rushing
and called for a doctor, she whispered calmly, ‘my time has come.’
Within a few minutes she had left her body, as smoothly and
painlessly as if dozing off. Only it was a sleep from which there was
no waking up. It was 27th March 2015. She was 64 years old.

It was a life well lived; dedicated to the one true purpose of
human existence; to get firmly established in Dhamma and help
others along the path. How can one grieve for such a person! One can
only say – go in peace Shardaben. You were an example for others to
emulate.

A committed guide, she always kept extra copies of books with
her. Who knew which student would turn up asking for one! She had
built a formidable library well stocked with books on Pali literature
which she had searched for and collected from all over India and
overseas. She had a carte blanche from Guruji to call for any books or
material that she deemed necessary for the VRI library.

Her students waited for their well respected teacher to return
from the course and give them further guidance. Only this time she
would not be returning. Her departure, as sudden as it was,
highlighted the ephemeral nature of existence.Anicca! It has left a
void that is difficult to fill.

1. Learn to read and write Pali in three scripts
(Burmese-Roman-Devanagari) (10th to 19th May)
2. Residential Pali- English Intensive Course (25th May to 9th
Aug)
3. Non-Residential Pali Course (4thJuly to 28thFeb) Classes on
Saturdays 1-4 pm (Open to Non-meditators also).
4. Translation Workshop (10th Aug to 17th Aug)
5. Workshop on Ashokan Inscription & Brahmi Script (1st to
5th Oct)
6. Research Methodology Workshop (15th Nov to 19th
Nov) (Open to non-meditators also) Please find Eligibility
Criteria for above courses on the
http://www.vridhamma.org/Theory-And-Practice-Courses
7. Diploma Course on the teachings of the Buddha, Vipassana
theory and practice.
Vipassana Research Institute (VRI) and Mumbai University
jointly conduct this Diploma course on theoretical and
practical aspects of the Buddha’s teachings, and practical
application of Vipassana in various fields. Application
form available from 6th July to 17th July, 2015 from Mon to
Fri between 11.30 am to 2.30 pm at Philosophy Department,
Jnaneshwar Bhavan, Mumbai University, Kalina, Santacruz
(E).Mumbai - 400098. Tel 022-26527337. Duration of course
is from 18th July, 2015, till March end 2016. Classes- every
Saturday 2:30 to 6:30 pm. Eligibility: Min. 12th pass. It will
be compulsory to sit a Vipassana course during the Diwali
vacation. For more information contact: 1) VRI office
022-33747560, 2) Mrs. Baljit Lamba - 09833518979, 3) Miss
Rajshree - 09004698648
V.R.I. research project topics:
(1)Vipassana as found in the words of saints (santavani me
Vipassana),
(2) Elements of Ayurveda as found in Tipitaka.
(3) Transformation through Vipassana, then and now. If
anyone has done work on these topics or wishes to contribute
towards these projects, he/she is welcome. Contact: E-mail:
mumbai@vridhamma.org; Tel.: +91-22-33747560.

Dhamma Pushkar

The first 20-day long course will be hosted at Dhamma
Pushkar from Nov 15 to Dec 6, 2015. With this in view and
increasing requests from female meditators, construction work on
8 new single female rooms has been initiated.

Among other projects that are sought to be initiated (subject
to availability of funds) are the construction of a Mini Dhamma
hall and the extension of the Pagoda (from the current no of 29
cells) by adding an outer circle of 33 cells.

More information is available on:
www.pushkar.dhamma.org

Update on Myanmar Centers

Dhamma Pabbata

Construction has been completed with the first ten-day
course held from April 10-21, 2015.

150 students attended the course. The Center has
accommodation and a Dhamma Hall for 200. It is located in Mu
Se Township, in the northern Shan State, near the Yunnan
Province of China.

Dhamma Sangama

Construction has been completed with the first ten day course
held from April 10th 2015. The next three courses are already full.
The accommodation is for 200 students and the Dhamma Hall seats
250. The Center is located in Myitkyina, Kachin State in the north of
Myanmar .

Dhamma Shwe

The Center, which is in Shwebo, is currently under
construction and is expected to be completed by this September.
It is the forth Center to be developed in Sagaing Division.

The Spread of Dhamma in Africa

The first Vipassana course in Africa was held in Kenya about
25 years ago. Following that, three 10-day courses and one
Satipatthana course have been held in Kenya annually. In 2003
Dhamma Pataka Centre in Cape Town South Africa was established
and began holding courses with about 15 meditation courses annually
being held there. The first course in Ethiopia was held in 2007 and
since then three courses a year have continued to be conducted at
rental sites. In addition to these three countries camps at rental sites
have been held regularly in many other countries in Africa including
in Mozambique where a course was held recently. About 1600
meditators are benefiting yearly from these Vipassana courses.

Many young, educated, professional people and those from the
business community are participating. More than 300 young people
attend courses every year. In October of this year Tunisia will
become the tenth African nation to offer a Vipassana course.

Children’s courses are also held with discourses given in
English and the local language of the area. The Teacher’s Self Course
will be held in two locations from Nov 14th to 29th concurrent with the
Teacher’s Self Course held in India. Though local donations are not
large, there has been no difficulty in organizing the courses. The
work of Dhamma is progressing unimpeded and will continue to
grow.

Wholesome Death

Assistant Teacher Mr. Robert Crane passed away peacefully at
3 am on 13th March. He played a key role in the spread of Dhamma in
Africa. Prior to the construction of Dhamma Pataka Vipassana
Centre, camps at rental sites were held regularly and thousands of
people benefited. One cannot forget the invaluable contribution of
Mr. Robert in the expansion of Dhamma in Africa. May he be
peaceful and happy.

WPP POSTAL LICENCE NUMBER – AR/Techno/WPP-04/2015-2017

One Day Mega courses on the auspicious occasions of
¾OEādh and Sharada Pūrṇimā and on the death
anniversary of Respected Guruji

On Sunday August 2, 2015 and Sunday 27 September 2015 a
one-day mega course will be conducted at the Global
Vipassana Pagoda in the presence of respected Mātājī. Course
hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Non-meditators can participate
in the discourse at 3:00 PM. Please contact the following
numbers for registration. Please only come with registration
and ‘samaggānaṃ taposukho’ – take advantage of the
happiness of practicing meditation with such a large group.
(Contact: 022-28451170, 022-337475-01/43/44-ext 9. Phone
booking hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. Online
Registration: www.oneday.globalpagoda.org.

Please call two days in advance for registration.
NB *Please bring cushion. *Please register on the specified phone numbers. If
unable to attend after registration, please inform in advance. *Please arrive on
time for the course.

Vipassana Guru ji (S.N.Goenka ji) discourses in various languages, chantings and other audio materials now available on worldwide audio stores to download and stream, such as iTunes, Saavn, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, Google Play Music (International), etc.

A 325-feet monument of Peace and Harmony built on Gorai Island, Mumbai. It includes a Dhamma Hall for over 8,000 meditators to sit and meditate and being built is an Exhibition gallery for visitors. Adjacent to the Pagoda is a 10 Day course center.
The Global Vipassana Pagoda was inaugurated by the President of India on 8th Feb 2009.